2012 Toyota Prius: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Sep 6, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · VA

There is no incident occurring to me .but I change some parts like head light.& whisper .engine .

Filed Feb 10, 2023 · Lights · 100,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the passenger's side low-beam headlight failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that no issues were found; however, the dealer replaced the headlight bulb. The contact stated that the headlight bulb was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2023 · Lights · DC

Headlamp Lens Issue Vehicle Manufacturers Must Correct ISSUE 1. The increase in pedestrian-vehicular accidents and fatalities is, at times, related to the driver not seeing the person in time to stop. Not seeing a person in time may be related to poor street lighting or a decrease in front visibility caused by fogged headlamp lenses. Current nighttime traffic has a variety of vehicles operating with varying front light visibility. 2. For certain vehicles, the lens alone is replaceable. With other vehicle models, the entire front lamp must be replaced. The exorbitant cost of replacing the front lamp is causing some people to opt to drive with densely fogged front headlight lenses risking pedestrian safety. 3. Some car dealership offer a "defogging" cleaning service for greater visibility but does not guarantee to restore the car's front illumination to minimum required safety standards. Recommendation Require vehicle manufacturers to make front headlights with detachable lenses, or make the lenses fog proof. A replaceable lens is cost effective for all income individuals. Making lens replacement affordable may decrease the number of pedestrian-vehicular accidents and fatalities. Discussion The headlight lens of my car became increasingly fogged, overtime, decreasing night visibility ahead. The Toyota dealership offered a $300 cleaning service for both lenses or replacing the headlamp at about $300 each; $600. I opted for the cleaning. When completed, the headlight lens of my vehicle looking much less fogged. When I asked, the dealership told me that their cleaning service does not guarantee compliance with minimum front safety illumination for night driving. I was told that my car does not come with removable lenses. To ensure minimum safety front night visibility, I purchase new headlamps total costing about $300 each; I spent $900 because the $300 cleaning service was completed and not deductible. I contacted Toyota management and went up the chain of command

Filed Dec 11, 2022 · Lights · NC

Purchased 2012 Prius used. Replaced low beams and high beam headlights shortly after. Passenger side low beam is no longer working (bulb was replaced 3 months ago). Upon googling causes saw 2010-2011 Prius had a recall for recurrent headlight issues, the wiring harness was replaced in them. It seem the 2012 is having the same issue in the 8 pages of complaints on exterior lightning that I saw. Toyota should extend the fix to include 2012 Prius.

Filed Jul 10, 2022 · Lights · CA

The headlights are not functioning properly as a result of severe discoloration of the lens material. This creates unsafe driving conditions at night since the road is not properly illuminated, especially in areas with inadequate street lighting.

Filed Mar 13, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · GA

on the pasenger side front low beam light if the headlight does not sit correctly it melts the headlight housing and or the headlight is dimmer my damage wiring harness in past dealership blames owner feel like this is a part defect the heat from a bulb should not melt or damage housing assemblies damage was found during a new headlight install

Filed Dec 30, 2021 · Lights · CA

On 12/25/2021, I was driving in the country side under darkness and under heavy rain and I had a hard time seeing the road. There were no road lights so I could not make out where the divider, curve of the road or side of the road was. It was quite a safety hazards because cars were coming from the front, or a few inches off the road would be dirt field. I discovered that the headlamps of my 2012 Prius are full of water bubbles and the water bubbles are blocking and distorting the headlights. I have pictures and videos of the headlights. It is six days already and the water bubbles are still there, and it is not safe to drive out to the field at night or where there is no road lights, with such minimal and distorted lights. I found on the web that a few people experienced water bubbles in their headlamps over the years, but don't know if they reported to the federal safety agency. My car has no accident and no modification on the front of the car. Toyota representative and dealers said my car is out of warranty. There were no indications or symptoms of water bubbles in advance, until rain leaks into the headlamps. I did not notice if this happened in previous raining seasons, as I didn't drive out much at night.

Filed Sep 6, 2019 · Lights · 211,000 miles · MO

I have had to replace headlight bulbs multiple times in the past two years. Reading reports, it is the exact same issue as the 2010 and 2011 prius owners had. I am now having to have my headlight covers resurfaced because my passenger side headlight is not at all visible at night. The dealership is recommending replacing the compartment where the bulb goes.

Filed Jul 15, 2019 · Lights · 142,000 miles · VA

Both driver and passenger side low beam headlights fail frequently (every 3-6 months) making driving in the early mornings and nighttime very dangerous, as they fail unexpectedly. The most dangerous situation for us with the headlight failure is when we were driving at night in the mountains and both low beams failed at the same time. Thankfully the high beams were functioning. The fact that there is a recall for 2010 and 2011 models but the 2012 model prius is excluded us very concerning considering the issue is the same across years.

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Lights · CA

Takata recall I am writing because my vehicle's halogen low beam headlamp bulb lifetime is shorter than expected and toyota seems unwilling to resolve the issue with me. After searching the internet, I found that the short bulb lifespan is a common problem with 2010- 2012 toyota prius vehicles. I am now changing the bulbs every couple of months.toyota officially states in their 'customer support program zhb certain 2010- 2012 model year prius coverage for halogen low beam headlamp bulbs' that this problem is covered under their warranty: if the owner experiences the condition described above, he/she should contact a local authorized toyota dealership for diagnosis. If the condition is verified, the dealer will install voltage adjustment wire harnesses and replace the halogen low beam headlamp bulbs with new ones at no charge to the customer.' when I took my car into a toyota auto nation in hayward for service on saturday 3/9/19. I was told this warranty expired on february 2019, and if I wanted to fix this problem it would cost between $500- $600. I explained that I had a document from toyota headquarters that has a different date of october 31, 2019. The service person said, he would check the date and email me back. He emailed me back on with this reply: 'unfortunately as per toyota your VIN doesn't not support that tsb and because your VIN does not apply to the tsb our parts department cannot order parts to support the remedy for your VIN as they are unavailable.' I feel that toyota does not want to repair this known safety hazard, unless I pay out of pocket for the parts and labor. The link also indicates that there are 'approximately 390,000 vehicles covered by this customer support program' and that 'this coverage will be offered until october 31, 2019, regardless of mileage.' .

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Lights · 65,000 miles · DE

My 2012 toyota prius; the vehicle repeatedly blows the front head lights. My vehicle is less than 6 years old and I have had 10 front lights replaced. The lights just go out while in motion. Here is the number of times toyota have replaced the lights thus far; 01.14.18 - headlight scheduled for repair on 01/15/19 12.21.18 - front marker 4.6.18 - front marker & tag lights 11.1.17 - front marker 4.4.16 - front marker 1.29.16 - p/s front marker 12.21.15 - d/s headlight bulb 10.23.15 - d/s headlight bulb 7.31.15 - d/s running light 2.14.15 - d/s front marker & p/s front marker I have had toyota review this issue twice now - no "mechanical/electrical" solution offered. Toyota incident 160129-000305 (opened on jan 2016) toyota incident: 181221-000076 (opened on dec 2018) let me know if you need my toyota repair/service records.

Filed Dec 14, 2018 · Lights · 115,000 miles · MD

In the past year we have replaced multiple low beam halogen headlights. One week ago, both burned out causing a nighttime safety issue. I researched the lighting issue and learned there is tsb t-sb-0204-12 for headlamp durability enhancement and a customer support program "zhb" for this identical problem. In the zhb program, toyota will make the necessary repairs free for only 2010-2011 prius'. Since the zhb program only supports 2010-2011 prius' I called toyota to request this repair under that program. After speaking to a local toyota dealer (darcars in frederick md.) and the toyota hq's satisfaction rep, our 2012 is not supported by the zhb program even though its the exact same problem. Link 1: https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2015/10/96257_t-sb-0204-12.pdf link 2: https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/2010-2012-toyota-prius-headlight-durability-enhancement.1074/ the problem is the hybrid battery is causing the bulbs to burn our prematurely. A wiring harness replacement for both sides is the required corrective action.